Sewing with panels
 

I use printed panels a lot and know they are rarely straight, but I can't believe the number of times I've tried to make "custom" blocks because the panel size didn't fit into a traditional block pattern. This one was no different and I'm kicking myself for not framing the blocks like I usually do so they are the correct size. This panel has 7" blocks, a weird size. I wanted to put them into stars, so I had to do the math and figure it all out. There was a lot of unsewing and wasted fabric, but I finally figured it out. The panels were framed in black, so now my star points look skewed because just a little bit of the black is visible. Lesson learned, I hope!

At first glance I didn't even notice the uneven black, but looked for it since you mentioned it. Don't sweat the small stuff, it's nice!

Guess the Bills loss today effected my eyesight! It looks great to me!

Guess the Bills loss today effected my eyesight! It looks great to me!

You can straighten uneven grain on panels by stretching them on the bias, both ways, before you cut out the blocks. Snap the fabric when you have it taut. Then check to see if the grain is more squarely situated. They are all printed straight, but in the winding and bolting of the fabric they get skewed.

Donna Jordan shows how to do this in this video at 1:54.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGt6_pWo6zs

In my experience, most of them are not printed straight at all.

I think it looks beautiful, I didn’t even notice it and had to look hard to see it. I’ve learned not to sweat the small stuff, life is short.

I still can't see any mistake or problem with the panel block. You worked wonders, and no one will notice what you are seeing.

Your block looks just fine to me. Very nice. I stretch panel until squared up. The ones that never get square get cut up for projects or I improvise and work with the wonky.

I could not find the problem area, but love the cats!